Bethel Half Marathon and 5k – October 9, 2010 – Waynesville, NC

A local favorite for scenery, hospitality and delicious post-race soup. Oh, and, a half marathon course that is quite flat by Western North Carolina standards.

The Half Marathon and 5K Races are run through the lovely Bethel Community south of Canton, NC. The fall colors on the trees, the rolling farmlands, the Pigeon River, and the cool weather make this a particularly inviting race event. The race is held each year on the second Saturday of October. The race is sanctioned by the Asheville Track Club and race times are submitted for the ATC Grand Prix Series.

Registration and parking will be at the Bethel Middle School (630 Sonoma Road, Waynesville NC). The simultaneous start for both races is on Sonoma Road in front of the school. After-race awards ceremonies are held in the school gym. Awards must be picked up at the ceremonies, so if you can not stay, please arrange for a friend to get yours.

We have great amenities: Award ceremonies, post race refreshments, including some warm, home-made potato soup, and post race showers. With course directors at key intersections, we have safe races. We look forward to seeing you there this year.

The only hill to speak of in the half marathon occurs at about two to three mile mark. After that it’s quite flat. The 5k is pretty much all flat. Here’s a course map for the half marathon:

It sounds like good weather for it. And a nice way to run it as part of your 20 miler on your training plan. I’m sure it makes that run a little more interesting since you’ll get to do 13 miles of it with others. And I will certainly miss the soup. Have a good time.

The weather can be very nice that time of year. I recall doing this race one year and there was a little frost about and the temperature at start time was just above freezing (I think that was 2006). Then it warmed up nicely. Last year wasn’t quite that cool. I think they had 3 or 4 different types of homemade soup. Awesome. Unfortunately I have to miss it this year for a wedding.